Questioning Longevity Bonuses

Jul 24, 2017 | 12:31 PM

I see that longevity bonuses are preserved in the state employee union contracts that Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signed. I believe that the need for the longevity bonus has passed and that this benefit should be eliminated. Surely the group in Connecticut that most deserves any kind of longevity bonus is our senior citizens. Providing a tax waiver for seniors' retirement income is well-deserved after a lifetime of paying taxes in Connecticut. I know that tax exemptions for retirement income are included in the proposed Republican budget and I hope they can be included in the budget discussions and final drafting. Knowing that state teacher pensions are given a state income-tax exemption and that longevity bonuses continue to be given while Democrats tell us there are insufficient funds to give income tax exemptions to seniors on Social Security is a tough pill to swallow.